Hawaiian Vanilla Co. offers a must-do tour on the Big Island, considered a highlight and one of the most memorable experiences for visitors. The farm sits on a rural hillside overlooking the ocean, providing cooler temperatures. The educational and informative tour, led by a passionate, engaging, and knowledgeable guide with a great sense of humor, covers the vanilla orchid farm. Guests learn about vanilla’s history, biology, cultivation, and cooking uses in plain terms.
The highly recommended lunch tour features a delicious, well-presented vanilla-infused meal that guests will be talking about. The menu includes choices like vanilla lemonade, tea, or a mixed beverage. Appetizers such as vanilla garam masala shrimp with vanilla mango chutney lead to main dishes like vanilla bourbon marinated chicken. Sides include exceptional fried potatoes with a vanilla southwest rub. Dessert is vanilla ice cream and coffee. The chef expertly demonstrates how vanilla enhances savory dishes without overpowering them. The short walk to the orchids is not too much, and transportation is available.
The experience is unique and wonderful, well worth the cost for out-of-town guests or a couple. It proves educational in ways visitors didn't know they needed. The guide often follows up with personal recipes. Products like vanilla popcorn and vanilla southwest rub are available for purchase. This superb tour is definitely worth taking the time to visit.
A visit to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company is a big Island must. Though a relatively new agricultural product on the island, a tour and lunch harken back to older days and the farming traditions that have been a part of Hawaii for generations.
September 2026
drive can make you think your lost, but worth it.the bread pudding was to die for . tour was cool too.
September 2026
The owner of the company led the tour. He is the second generation owner of this family business. It was very interesting to learn about the process. The guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and entertaining. The tasting was a fun and educational experience, the fact that the ice cream was extra tasty was icing on... read full comment
Recommended as Best of North Big Island Because: The Hawaiian Vanilla Company offers a refreshing tour and lunch on their farm, all about vanilla.
Ice cream, chocolate-chip cookies, coffee, cakes, shakes-these are the goodies where you expect to find vanilla beans or vanilla flavor. But what about lemonade, BBQ sauce, chutney, cornbread, maple syrup, jelly, or salad dressing? And would you expect to find a vanilla farm (the first and only commercial vanilla operation in the U.S.) in Hawaii? The Big Island continues to surprise me, and today the surprising secret ingredient is?.Vanilla! Don't miss the chance to have a vanilla experience on the Big Island. You can have a vanilla lunch complete with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for dessert, and then take a walking tour of the vanilla farm and learn how the Hawaiian Vanilla Company started raising this crop on the Big Island. Overall, a great way to spend an afternoon. And you won't go hungry! More Information: Hawaiian Vanilla Company Website: www.HawaiianVanilla.com Information on the Vanilla Experience Luncheon (Reservations are required!) Other tours and tastings offered at the farm: Vanilla Tours Hawaiian Vanilla Company Inc. P.O. Box 383 43-2007 Paauilo Mauka Road Paauilo, Hawaii 96776 Phone (808) 776-1771 Fax (808) 776-1661 Toll Free (877) 771-1771
